The Cordova Volunteer Fire Department received over $200,000 in grant funding during 2019. This money brought the department updated training programs and new equipment, including a pair of tsunami sirens.
The department has also requested a grant to fund an active shooter response training event. This event, which would take place in 2021, would include 20 participants from across Alaska. The department has provided active shooter training for Cordova schools for six years.
The grant request was announced by Fire and Police Chief Mike Hicks at the Saturday, Feb. 8 Cordova Volunteer Fire Department Annual Banquet hosted at the Powder House bar and grill. The department has diversified members’ skills with workshops addressing everything from bomb disposal to containing ammonia leaks, Hicks said.
“In today’s world, we do more than just put out fires,” Hicks said.